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Ethelberta as she sat felt herself much less a Petherwin than a Chickerel, much less a poetess richly freighted with fancy than an adventuress with a nebulous prospect.
'Do you think of trying to see Ethelberta before you leave? said Sol. 'Certainly not, said Chickerel. 'Mr. Mountclere's advice was good in that. The more we keep out of the way the more good we are doing her. I shall go back to Anglebury by the carrier, and get on at once to London. You will go with me, I suppose? 'The carrier does not leave yet for an hour or two.
The pamphlet ran like this. Near to its surface, so close that the angler may reach out his hand and stroke them, schools of pike, pickerel, mackerel, doggerel, and chickerel jostle one another in the water. They rise instantaneously to the bait and swim gratefully ashore holding it in their mouths.
Chickerel then accompanied his daughter along the street till an empty cab passed them, and putting her into it he returned to the house again. The dressing of Ethelberta for the dinner-party was an undertaking into which Picotee threw her whole skill as tirewoman.
'Ha! here's somebody, he said, observing a man in the vestry. He advanced with the intention of asking where Lord Mountclere was to be found. Chickerel came forward in the same direction. 'Are you the parish clerk? said Mountclere to the man, who was dressed up in his best clothes. 'I hev the honour of that calling, the man replied.
'Yes, yes we are too late, it seems, said Mountclere coolly. 'Who could have thought they'd marry at eight! Chickerel stood like a man baked hard and dry. Further than his first two words he could say nothing. 'They must have set about it early, upon my soul, Mountclere continued. 'When did the wedding take place? he asked of the clerk sharply.
Chickerel turned towards the chancel, his eye being attracted by a red kneeling- cushion, placed at about the middle of the altar-railing, as if for early use. Mountclere strode to the vestry, somewhat at a loss how to proceed in his difficult task of unearthing his brother, obtaining a private interview with him, and then, by the introduction of Sol and Chickerel, causing a general convulsion.
Any person interested in the matter would have assumed without hesitation that the estimate his employer had given of Chickerel was a true one more, that not only would the butler under all ordinary circumstances resolutely prevent his face from showing curiosity in an unbecoming way, but that, with the soul of a true gentleman, he would, if necessary, equivocate as readily as the noblest of his betters to remove any stain upon his honour in such trifles.
Behind her she heard wheels and the stepping of a horse, but she was too concerned to turn her head. The pace of the vehicle slackened, however, when it was abreast of Picotee, and she looked up to see Christopher as the driver. 'Miss Chickerel! he said, with surprise. Picotee had quickly looked down again, and she murmured, 'Yes.
'Joey is shrewd and trustworthy; but in the hands of such a woman as that! I suppose she did not recognize me. 'There was no chance of that in the dark. 'Well, I cannot do anything in it, said she. 'I cannot manage Joey at all. 'I will see if I can, said Mr. Chickerel. 'Courting at his age, indeed what shall we hear next!
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